AGRO 10 describes the requirements for the production, standardisation, processing, packaging, and marketing of local products so that their origin, distribution through short supply chains, and traceability are ensured.
It is a national standard of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Hellenic Agricultural Organisation – DIMITRA, submitted to the European Union and approved in 2021. The standard defines the certification requirements for local products in every region with specific specifications described in three core documents:
Agro10 certification is a product certification for local products that are not part of the PDO/PGI/TSG schemes, carried out by bodies accredited to ISO 17065.
The Hellenic Agricultural Organisation DIMITRA (AGROCERT) is the competent authority responsible for approving applications submitted by businesses wishing to join the control system, performing inspections in cooperation with the regional Departments of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Services, ensuring compliance with the specifications, certifying these products, and keeping the registers of approved businesses and of beneficiaries entitled to use the PDO and PGI marks. ELGO DIMITRA supervises the proper management and use of the AGRO10 seal by certification bodies and by certified or non-certified businesses. Inspections are conducted within the supervisory framework established by legislation for certification bodies, certified enterprises, and the sales points of these products.
AGRO10 audits are carried out annually by accredited bodies that declare the certified products to the regions where they are produced. Each “Local Product” is recorded together with its name and the reference to the region or specific locality. The local product certification seal applies exclusively to the enterprise to which it is granted and cannot be transferred in any way. The national certification seal may only be used by businesses certified to the AGRO 10 standard that market local products, packaged or otherwise, under their brand name.